Wolstenholme to turn professional

Wolstenholme has competed in five Walker Cups

England's most capped amateur golfer Gary Wolstenholme is turning professional at the age of 48.

The two-time British champion is entering the first stage of the European Tour qualifying school in Scotland next week.

"It's a little bit frightening because it's a massive change, but it's also hugely exciting," said Wolstenholme, who has been capped 218 times.

"There are people who thought I'd never do it, but I've decided to do it now."

Wolstenholme made the decision to give up his amateur status to prepare himself for senior golf when he turns 50.

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Turning professional, however, means he will miss out on a chance to become Walker Cup captain.

"That's one of the few regrets I have," said Wolstenholme, who famously beat Tiger Woods in the 1995 Walker Cup.

"But once the idea of turning pro was thrown at me by one of my coaches three months ago the more I thought about it the more sense it made."

Wolstenholme has already received an invitation to compete in the Challenger circuit's Kazakhstan Open which begins on 18 September.

He is then targeting his first competition on the main European Tour at next month's Portugal Masters.

Wolstenholme is a two-time British champion and has played in five Walker Cups to become Britain and Ireland's record points scorer.

In June, the Surrey-born golfer battled his way into a play-off against European Tour players at the US Open qualifier at Walton Heath.

Despite losing the play-off he travelled to Torrey Pines as a reserve and was called up to replace the injured Sean O'Hair.

But after being unable to practise on the course he finished 150th with rounds of 83 and 82 and failed to make the cut.